LEA annually considers nominees for awards that recognize educators for excellence in their respective ministries. Nominations are accepted only online from August to early October via forms that appear elsewhere on this page. Candidates are selected by peers or Board of Directors and LEA staff. 

LEA selection committee will give priority to nominees who are synodically trained, colloquized, or currently involved in the Colloquy program. Nominees from all countries are eligible. A nominee must...

·        be active both in the local as well as the Lutheran community.

·        have a strong, demonstrated commitment to serve Jesus.

·        have shown a commitment to excellence in meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children, youth, adults, and/or families.

LEA Awards and more specific criteria appear below.

Christus Magister

This has long been considered LEA's premier award, and it is associated with the Board of Directors. A nominee will have demonstrated excellence in the following areas, as appropriate to their ministry:

·        Classroom teaching

·        Administration

·        Supervision

·        Parish education

·        Research

·        Publications

·        Educational leadership

Leader in Outreach

This award is associated with the Board of Directors and not directly associated with any single Network. Each nominee must provide evidence of accomplishments in the following areas, as appropriate:

·        Infuses outreach in his or her given ministry

·        Dedicated to reaching the lost

·        Creatively incorporates outreach into ministry area

·        Personally witnesses and proclaims Christ’s saving message

·        Encourages  evangelism

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator
This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet) and with the Leadership Network (LEADnet). Nominees...

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate outstanding leadership through curriculum development, staff professionalism and morale, and family involvement.

·       are a member of one or more professional associations.

·        are committed to National Lutheran School Accreditation or other accreditation if not serving an LCMS school.

 
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet).  Nominees...

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills.

·        demonstrate commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

 
Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet) with three or fewer years of experience. Nominees...

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills.

·        demonstrate commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

This award is associated with the Leadership Network (LEADnet). Nominees...

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate outstanding leadership through curriculum development, staff professionalism and morale, and family involvement.

·        are a member of one or more professional associations.

·        are committed to National Lutheran School Accreditation or other accreditation if not serving an LCMS school.

 
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher

This award is associated with the Elementary Teachers Network (ETnet). Nominees...

·        are strongly committed to serving Jesus.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills. 

 
Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

This award is associated with the Elementary Teachers Network (ETnet) for teachers with three or fewer years experience. Nominees...

·        are strongly committed to serving Jesus.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills.

Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher
This award is associated with the Middle School Teachers Network (MIDnet) for teachers in grades 6-8 with four or more years of experience. 

·        are strongly committed to serving Jesus.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills.

Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

This award is associated with the Middle School Teachers  Network (MIDnet) for teachers with three or fewer years experience. Nominees...

·        are strongly committed to serving Jesus.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective teaching skills.

Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

This award is associated with the Secondary Educators Network (SECnet). Nominees...

·        demonstrate strong commitment to serving Jesus.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of students.

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective; desirable: LCMS trained, colloquized, or active participant in Colloquy program.

·        demonstrate effective professional skills and relational skills.

·        are a member of one or more professional associations.

 
Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator

This award is associated with the Secondary Educators Network (SECnet) for teachers with three or fewer years of experience. Nominees...

·        demonstrate strong commitment to serving Jesus with strong potential for future service in Lutheran education.

·        are active in local community as well as Lutheran community.

·        are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of students.     

·        are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.

·        demonstrate effective professional skills and relational skills.

·        are a member of one or more professional associations.

  
Distinguished Parish Educator

This award is associated with the Parish Educators Network (PEN). Worthy nominees are active parish educators serving a Lutheran institution in an education role outside a school or early childhood center, who...

·        have at least five years experience as a parish educator,

·        are equipped and actively professing and teaching the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective,

·        actively and enthusiastically equip others for education ministry and partner with them in the teaching of the faith,

·        demonstrate leadership, and

·        are committed to excellence in Christian education.

 
Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award

This award is associated with the Retired Lutheran Educators Network (EncourAGEnet). The award recipient…

·        is a retired educator in a Lutheran ministry.

·        has ministered in Lutheran Christian education for many years.

·        has been active in both the local and Lutheran communities.

·        continues servant volunteerism in congregation and community as God provides health and strength.

Nominations for the 2021 cycle

Lutheran Education Association affirms exemplary educators through 14 annual awards.

Each award recognizes educational ministry characterized by strong commitment to serving Jesus Christ and excellence and effectiveness in teaching, leadership, and professionalism. Specific qualifications appear in each nomination document.

LEA confers awards after nominations and nominee self-profiles are considered by a panel of peers, which chooses honorees based on the merits described in supporting documents.

Awards are presented during the year of selection, but all recipients are honored again at LEA's triennial Convocations.

Links will be available below in October. They will lead to copies of award criteria and nomination forms used to identify the 2021 candidates.



Christus Magister

Leader in Outreach

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher 

Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Distinguished Parish Educator

Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award

Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator

The links below are for those who have been nominated for one of the LEA awards. Use the links to download the appropriate form.

The Microsoft Word document may be downloaded, completed on your word processor, and emailed to lea@lea.org. 

December 11, 2020: Email deadline for submission of nominee self-profile information and letters of recommendation as outlined on the self-profile forms.

Call 708.209.3343  or email lea@lea.org if you have questions about your membership or other issues.

Christus Magister

Leader in Outreach

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator
 
Distinguished Parish Educator

Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award